David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

What role does the Reserve Defence Force have in emergency planning? Has it been used during the past 12 months in the various weather emergencies that have occurred?

Could the Minister outline the various types of emergency for which we are preparing? Is he satisfied the Defence Forces are called out in a timely fashion? At times it appears the Defence Forces are called out very late in the day. Has any work been done to assess whether it would be better to call on the Defence Forces earlier than has been the case? I accept they cannot act on their own; they have to be invited to assist by the Garda or civilian authorities. Does the Minister agree it would be better if they were called in at an earlier stage in some cases? If that were the case they could provide greater help rather than at the last minute when the state of emergency has become acute. It appears the Defence Forces are seen as a last resort.

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